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Commission recommends zoning change to clarify outdoor "junk" storage prohibition
Summary
Planning staff presented an amendment to clarify that outdoor storage of "junk" is prohibited in nonindustrial zones and to define "junk"; the commission voted to recommend the amendment to the governing board and staff previewed a broader zoning-code rewrite.
Planning staff told the McMinnville Plant Commission that a proposed amendment would clarify the city’s existing outdoor-storage rules by defining what the city considers "junk" and by making clear the prohibition applies in all zones except industrial areas where certain use‑related storage is permitted behind screened fences.
Staff said the intent is to prevent prolonged storage of dilapidated items—tires, vehicles and similar materials—that had created nuisance and mosquito concerns in the past. Staff also described examples raised by a resident, including a property beside Westwood Market with dilapidated vehicles and a separate location where semi trucks park; staff said they are working with owners to clean up the permitted trucking-terminal uses and other storage that exceeds what is appropriate for the zone.
During the discussion staff emphasized that industrial zones may allow outdoor storage tied to the principal use if it is behind a screen fence, but that the amendment would make clear that unrelated junk behind or outside a fence remains a violation. One staff remark summarized the point plainly: "Junk is junk." (as transcribed).
A motion was made to recommend the amendment to the governing board; the commission voted and the chair announced the motion carried. Staff said the amendment contains a fairly long definition intended to list many examples of prohibited items so the enforcement intent is clearer.
Staff also previewed a broader, forthcoming zoning-code rewrite that will focus on formatting and navigation—tables, charts, hyperlinks and an interactive table of contents—to make zoning districts, uses and definitions easier to use. A resident asked a separate question about setback distances and staff responded with zone-based rear-setback ranges and noted accessory structures often have a five-foot rear setback.
The commission’s recommendation sends the clarified outdoor-storage definition to the next governing-board review; staff will bring the drafting changes and examples forward for further consideration.
